Rafael Nadal revealed he was “a sad person most days” before radiofrequency treatment changed his life for the better. Nadal, who was diagnosed with Mueller-Weiss syndrome in 2005, started experiencing major foot issues during the clay season.
Just two weeks before the French Open, Nadal lost to Denis Shapovalov in the Rome Masters round-of-16, in a match where he was limping and clearly in pain. Nadal’s participation at the French Open was in doubt but the Spaniard managed to play after the doctors made the call to numb his foot with injections and anesthesia for two weeks straight.
After winning the French Open, Nadal underwent radiofrequency treatment on his foot. Nadal’s foot responded extremely well and the Spaniard was able to play Wimbledon.
Nadal on how radiofrequency treatment changed his life
“The truth is that I have done it many times after Wimbledon because the injury is incurable and when the nerve starts to hurt you have to do it again.
I have to thank Mario, my regular anesthesiologist in Barcelona, and Dr. Angel Ruiz-Cotorro, who were the ones who put me in contact with David Abejon, a specialist in the Pain Unit, to start a treatment that has drastically changed not only my career, which in the end is secondary, but my personal life.
Now I am much happier, beyond winning or losing on the court, because I was suffering from a limp. I played tennis with lots and lots of anti-inflammatories but I was limping all day long. I thought I had to quit tennis because I had lost my vitality and I was a sad person most days,” Nadal told Marca.
Meanwhile, Nadal is now preparing for the 2023 season. Nadal is starting his season at the inaugural United Cup, where he will be hoping to lead Spain to the title. Then, Nadal goes to Melbourne to defend his Australian Open title. In 2023, one of Nadal’s biggest wishes will certainly be to avoid major injuries.
